Taking a 'fart walk' after a meal can help jumpstart digestion, relieve gas, and promote a healthier gut microbiome. It also helps regulate blood sugar levels, which can lower the risk of prediabetes and diabetes over time.
Walking after a meal can speed up digestion by getting the muscles in your gut moving, which helps move food through your digestive tract more efficiently. This can also help clear the air and reduce gas buildup.
A healthy gut microbiome helps produce molecules that support brain health, immune function, and metabolism. Fiber-rich diets, combined with post-meal walks, can enhance these benefits by providing nutrients for the beneficial microbes in your gut.
Walking after a meal helps regulate blood sugar by increasing muscle contractions, which act as sponges for glucose in the bloodstream. This reduces the spike in blood sugar levels and can lower the risk of chronic conditions like prediabetes and diabetes.
Just two to five minutes of casual walking can help regulate blood sugar, but a 15-minute moderate walk is even more effective. The speed should be comfortable, like walking your dog, but you can increase the pace for cardiovascular benefits.
If you have mobility restrictions, you can still benefit from other forms of muscle movement, such as chair aerobics, arm raises, or upper body resistance training. Even marching in place or walking upstairs can help regulate blood sugar and aid digestion.
Aim to walk within 30 minutes of finishing your meal. Dinner is often the best time because it tends to be the largest meal of the day, and walking can help counteract the high calorie intake and improve sleep quality.
Walking after a meal can improve sleep by jumpstarting digestion, reducing discomfort from a full stomach, and stabilizing blood sugar levels. This helps promote more stable energy levels and a sense of relaxation, leading to better sleep.
Post-meal walks to release gas, called 'fart walks,' have become popular on social media. NPR health correspondent Maria Godoy says the science is solid on this trend. She shares the many health benefits of walking after eating: better digestion, more balanced blood sugar levels and a healthier gut microbiome.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices)NPR Privacy Policy)